5 Ways to Get a Great Student Experience
Pursue your passion, make a difference and enhance your university education.
Academic life is far more than just classes, essays and exams; your well-being is also foundational to a meaningful university experience. To make the most of your university education, you need a place to reflect on what you learn inside the classroom and connect it to meaningful experiences in other learning environments. From athletics and recreation programs to keep you active, to academic support and health and wellness services to help you thrive, here are five ways to build on your classroom experience so you can graduate ready to make a difference:
Stay active | You know what they say about all work and no play. Many universities offer facilities where you can take fitness classes, participate in intramural sports or compete in varsity athletics. At Wilfrid Laurier University, the cost to access our state-of-the-art campus fitness centres is included in your tuition, so don't just sit there. Climb a rock wall. Take a dance class. Give yoga a shot! If you've got the energy, we've got a program for you.
Access academic support | Academic advisors can help you plan your academic requirements, supplement instruction for difficult courses and help improve your writing and study skills. University is challenging enough, and being far from home can add to that. Laurier International will make things easier. The International Student Support office provides peer mentors, assistance with work permits and visas, and an introduction to Canadian life.
Live in Residence | Immerse yourself in a community of support from your first day on campus, where staff and upper-year students are committed to your personal growth, development and safety. Share this new beginning with friends and create lifelong connections with the people you meet. Residence buildings are more than just a place to sleep and study; they are strong communities that encourage personal development and growth.
Join a Work-Study Program | International students in Canada are allowed to work part-time during their studies, so you'll gain the same practical experiences available to all Laurier students. And once you graduate, you don't have to leave — international students can work in Canada for three years after university, and apply for citizenship after that. Through our International Student Work Experience Program, you can work part-time right on campus during your studies.
Participate in Clubs and Associations | Laurier has one of Canada's most active student unions, with more than 250 student-led clubs and associations and 5,000 members. The opportunities to find your fit are endless; you'll meet other students interested in the same things as you before you even have a chance to unpack.
Your experiences tell your story. Experiential learning is a way for you to expand your knowledge and put it to use. Better yet, you can record these hands-on learning experiences on the Laurier Experience Record and graduate with an official record that you can share. It's the first of its kind in Canada.